Early MCAL Basketball Thoughts

The first day of practice is less than two weeks away and I thought it was time we take a look at the upcoming season.

First, the rumors have been swirling around about Branson’s Adam Boone committing to play basketball next season at Arizona State. The one thing I know for certain is that nothing is official. Boone, if offered a scholarship, will have the chance to sign a N.L.I. (National Letter of Intent) between Nov. 11 and Nov.18. If he doesn’t, then he’ll have to wait until the regular recruiting period begins next April.

Regardless of what college he’ll be at next year, Adam Boone is still Adam Boone. He should be the third or fourth best big guy in the league this year and have a spot on the All-MCAL 2nd team.

Here are my predictions for the MCAL’s top three teams:

1. Branson

Considering all of the players they lost two years ago, I thought Branson was deep trouble last season. They proved me wrong. The Bulls, under a new coach and with a new cast of players, continued their winning ways by capturing the MCAL title. Tyler Gaffaney and Adam Boone return on a team that has to be considered the favorites to win the league until proved otherwise.

2. Redwood
The Giants are the most talented team in the league, but can they put it all together? If Jay Flaherty returns 100% from his shoulder surgery, this team should be in good shape. Make sure to watch out for the effect DeMarqus Wiggins has in the paint. The Giants lack a true big man which means Wiggins is going to have to stay down low more often than he is used to.

3. Novato

Brian Crow is the most valuable big man in the league, especially when he is connecting with his jump shot.Scoring will also come from Briggs Vallandigham and Dylan White. Each had around 10 ppg in MCAL last season. This team’s weakness’ are clearly its lack of depth and its defense. If Crow gets into foul trouble, the Hornets are in trouble. Also, Novato allowed teams to score over 55 ppg last season.

What about…

San Marin- Stuart Wesonga didn’t make a large impact this summer and the Mustangs seemed to have lost the team unity that got them a second-place finish in 2008.

San Rafael- Bulldogs have a strong junior class and should fight for a playoff spot. Rumors are that a transfer student from San Francisco will be there starting power forward. (more details on that as we get them)

Marin Catholic- The Wildcats clearly have lost a lot of talent, but they should be able to avoid missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Rick Winter’s team showed a lot of heart in a mid-august win over Redwood at the Kenny Woodard event. This roster is by far Winter’s biggest test as a coach. The non-league portion of the season might be rough, but I expect MC to be ready to go once the MCAL-season starts.

That’s all I have for now. Be sure to check the blog throughout the season.

Also, don’t hesitate to make comments. I love engaging in MCAL basketball debates.

32 Responses to Early MCAL Basketball Thoughts

I see branson winning as well 2 legit players and always a great cast and solid coaching.
Redwood is the wild-card– they can beat anyone- but will the puzzle pieces fit together, if so they win it all.
San Marin a team to watch– great player and coach– keep an eye out.

Interesting post you had. These aren’t ranked in any order, but I saw many teams this summer as my son plays and know many parents from other schools. Just what I gathered:
1) Totally agree on Branson. How could they not be the top team? They proved it with a whole new crew. Somehow Boone wasn’t even on the all MCAL selections, yet could very well end up at ASU. What happened there? Donlan did a great job with last year’s group. By far coach of the year.
2) How could you forget to talk about Terra Linda? They were a bad bounce on the rim away from winning the title last year. Manoli and Woodard are back. They have a new 6’8″ post player along with a strong supporting cast. They are the most talented team in my opinion. Could be strong enough to take down Branson. We’ll see. Should be a top 3 team.
3) Right on about Novato. I also think they will be solid. Nothing like returning your best 3 guys.
4) Don’t write off Drake. They looked good this summer and even though they graduated several key guys, they have some good replacements. I could see them battling for the 5th/6th spot.
5) I don’t understand your comment on SM, “Lost the unity from 2008”, huh? They graduated 10 players from 2008, then still made it to the MCAL semi-finals last year. That is a pretty amazing feat! I didn’t even know any of their players at the start of the year. That program has come along way. Talking with some SM parents, Wesonga looked great this summer, but only played early as he competed at mostly AAU events in July. I think SM could be a real darkhorse to do something big.
6) MC looks like they have depth. They may not have a star like Smith last year but all their guys can plan. They seemed to press and rotate guys constantly this summer. Not sure if they are going to stick with that strategy but if so that could work.
7) If SR has a new transfer to tack on to their returning core, they could have a solid year.
8) Redwood looked good this summer. I was at the Golden Gate Shootout and saw their game with SM. It was just almost as good as the playoff game last year, as SM escaped in OT. But Wiggins looked dominant and they just keep coming at you with players. The hard part might be trying to find minutes for everyone. Along with TL, they definitely have the most overall talent. Your choice as #2 could be right.
9) I thought Pribble did a nice job with Tam last year. They weren’t the most talented team but they almost pulled some nice upsets. Many of those guys return from what I hear, so they should be even better than last year.
10) I don’t know too much about the JS program, other than I hear their new coach should be an upgrade. He seems to really be passionate and demand lots from his players. I think they might be down talentwise but you never know. Everyone said that about Branson, TL and SM last year after they graduated everyone and those were 3 of the 4 semifinalists.

You can’t overlook TL…returning 1 of the top 2 players from last year. They also have a 6’8″ junior to battle Wasonga and Crow. Branson…Brannigan was the glue to that team. He neutralized other teams big men. Who will fill that role this year. Boone? He better get tougher.

As for the girls, I think we are looking at a down year in terms of talent.

My preseason pick for player of the year would be Nicole Anderson-Jew. Lia Coito, Ally Warson and Kelsey Shea should all be first teamers. Branson has to be considered the favorite to win it all.

MCAL Parent,

A lot of strong points. I wasn’t aware of a 6’8” player at TL, but if he is anything like there last 6’8”, teams around the league shouldn’t be worried.

Pribble did do a good job. Losing Jarred Key will hurt.

Drake really is going to have a tough time making the playoffs. After Andrew Skaggs and Colin Carmondy, the team doesn’t have many options.

My point about the San Marin team in 2008 was that they weren’t the most talented, but they played tough and together every night. I just don’t see that same attitude with this year’s team. In the Redwood/San Marin game at the shootout, Redwood played without two of its starters and San Marin only had six players. It will be a very different game in January.

Artie – Kelsey spells her last name Shea (I guess they don’t emphasize correct spelling at Redwood). Drakes other Kelsie (Niemetz) also has a good chance for POY. Niemetz was first team all-league last year.

My vote for MCAl champions goes to Redwood. I live in Corte Madera/Larkspur area and have seen t hem training and in general they are ready for the season. Branson has never been as athletic, talented, or big as other teams yet manage to pull it off. This year though, they will really be on the low end in terms of athleticism which will hurt them Terra Linda’s big man could give them the piece they need to win MCAL’s seeing as Brian Crow is the only other dominant big man.
Any thoughts on Marin Academy, the “other” marin team?

Thanks Warren. Unfortunately, Redwood’s English curriculum doesn’t cover the spelling of the Drake girl’s basketball team roster. All kidding aside, I try to get all the names spelled correctly, but mistakes do happen.

any talent scout will tell you manoli and company are the front runners…..redwood will run away with it “if” they don’t see glemlins…….branson only wins if the other two don’t meet potential and just might implode-you just never know and it could be ugly…….mc? please…….drake’s donellan can always win if the prima dona’s don’t show up………

glemlins?
I say that redwood has the most talented team and by far the most depth in this league. flaherty is best pg in the league, wiggins the most talented besides possibly wesonga, but id probly give the edge to wiggins. healy is the best athlete in the league. Drewry is a super athletic talented wing/guard who is a kid to watch this year and deffinitely could blow up and be the difference
tl has manoli woodard and michael best and then wat.
branson has the system and legacy but are going to need people to step up big time.
Crow and wesonga are going to be one man wrecking balls for their teams to win the league.

Player of the Year for the girls has been leading to Kelsie Niemetz for the past couple years. The senior is a hard worker and has the size to really take over this year. Great supporting cast as well with Mackenzie Gilliam and Kelsie Shea.

We basically have 3 teams– the leader being Redwood with their coaching,depth,and playing style.
The 2 others are Branson and Terra Linda. Both have what it takes but redwood sits a bit above.
Then list Novato and SM– if their big men fire up.. then the above will have to be on their best. The rest of the league will try and scrape out a win or 2.

Here is the real rankings:
1) Terra Linda – the deepest and best team in the MCAL. The only way they lose is if the superstars do not get along.
2) Redwood – Wiggins and Flaherty are good and could be great.
3) San Marin – Wasonga is a stud. He is the best player in the league by far! No one will be able to stop him. He has a good supporting cast.
4) Novato – Crowe is finally a senior and this should be his best season. He and Dylan white and Vandlanding ham are a good threesome, but they have no depth, not enough horses to move up.
5) Branson – I do not believe the hype. I think the league has gotten over the reputation and they will finally show signs of weakness
6) San RAFAEL – The younf team has to be ready to win by now.
7) Drake – Doug Donellen will have them fighting until the end. I think they may make the last playoff spot.
8) Marin Catholic – Winter will have them back soon, just not this year.
9) Tam – Pribble is a good coach. He will have them playing hard and they will beat a team or two above them.
10) Justin – Who cares? Unless Lichau is back nobody cares.

Love the enthusiasm for high school sports. Beauty of upcoming season-no one really knows. However, let’s roll throught the basics:
First, defense wins championships. Branson, for years now, allows 10 or more points less per game than the other squads. Plus, they force those other squads to play their game. Until a group of athletes, or a coach, overcomes this-Branson has to be favorite. Second, you need horses to win the league-the deeper the better. Don’t see how TL supporter can say they’re deepest-losing 3 of their top 6 guys from last season. No way to determine if Justin Siena is really improved. The other thoughts-2 sophomores here, a power forward there-rumors? So, you’d have to pick Redwood here: 5 of their guys have been playing AAU ball since middle school, all (except the recovering Mr. Flaherty) on same squad since end of last season. Which other squad can match that? Third, hardest spot to fill at any level of basketball-a true, inside, dominant center: San Marin has one, Novato’s may love the perimeter game too much and TL’s-watched him this summer-good, but not dominant. I’d say TL’s supporting cast is better than San Marin and Novato. Fourth, surprises-one or two will occur. Two years ago-San Marin (beat Branson), with their 5 returning starters (we didn’t appreciate them enough). Injuries-can hobble anyone. New players-see above-maybe. Usually, one team highly regarded and one team lightly regarded change places-who might that be this season? Let’s get ready to rummmbbbblllle.

Actually there are a few coaches and 12 players that care a lot about how Justin-Siena does this year. I can GUARANTEE you this, Justin-Siena will not finish 10th. There is a different mind set at Justin this year. Every team will be in for a war every night Justin puts a team on the floor. That being said, I predict us 9th.

For the girls it could be a good race between MC Branson,Drake,Justin,and San Marin. MC lost oly 2 starters and have UCSD commit Nicole Anderson-Jew leading the floor. Nicole had a strong summer with AAU playing against the top players all over the US. They have some strong returning players and some good JV kids coming up. Drake is solid with top seniors along with San Marin.Branson with Cotio, Ally,we shall see what a new coach can do.
Anderson-Jew should be POY with Shea and Keslie N ,Coito, Ally, and Leslie Dittmen all making first team along with Travis from Justin.

Wow, the Adam Boone thing is sad. Did some Internet research-ASU has pretty robust basketball recruiting site. Nothing,zip, nada, nyet, zero-on Adam Boone and that school. Maybe a stealth signing?! One wants all quality Marin athletes to excel and attend the best school possible. With national signing day approaching-we’ll know more, then.

whoever said something about the 6’6 junior kid from tl, mike best your talking about. he is not good at all, stuart will dunk on him, he played a jv summer league cuz he thought he would “scrape” in it. n he lost to redwood and sandro digrazia owned him, a sophmore from redwood who isnt even playing varsity this year

Redwood girls-I don’t know where they finish this year, but I do know their new coach will demand every ounce of talent out of her players.Coach Diane Peterson has an attitude about the game her sister Crissy, brothers Mike and Frank have hammered her on since she was a kid. All were top of the game athletes with Diane going the furthest as starting point guard at Sac State all four years. Diane always played hard from buzzer to buzzer and if her Redwood girls want play time they better be packing a pocket full of no quit and a handful of woopass or the bench will turn out to be their new best friend. Redwood got lucky, Peterson is only going to get better as time will show. The family lives and breathes basketball.

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